2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger onboard charger

author: FutureCar Staff    

One of the biggest concerns people have about buying an electric vehicle is range anxiety. This is the fear of running out of battery power on the road with no available charging stations. However, Stellantis' Ram brand may have a solution for this, especially for those who need a truck for hauling or towing. They have introduced the Ramcharger, a pickup that can travel 145 miles on electricity. It is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 gas-powered engine linked to a generator that can recharge the battery while the truck is in motion.

The growth of electric vehicle sales is starting to slow down, causing automakers to reevaluate their investments in the transition to electric powertrains. The reasons for this slowdown include cost, limited range, and insufficient charging stations compared to the abundance of nearby gas stations. Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram brand, acknowledges these concerns but believes the Ramcharger can alleviate them.

Stellantis plans to expand the use of this new powertrain beyond the Ramcharger. While the company has not made an official statement, a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers suggests that they will incorporate the same power system into the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer in the coming years.

The Ramcharger is expected to be available in showrooms by the end of next year. It boasts 663 horsepower and can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. When fully charged and with a full gas tank, it can travel up to 690 miles. Additionally, the truck can tow a trailer weighing up to 14,000 pounds, surpassing the capabilities of the current Ram pickup with a V8 engine.

The battery of the Ramcharger can be charged at home or at a fast-charging station, where it can gain 50 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes. Furthermore, with a two-direction home charging station, the truck can provide power to a home during a storm or tools at a job site.

While other companies offer gas-electric hybrid trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the Ramcharger stands out because its gas engine solely generates electricity to charge the battery and does not directly power the wheels.

Stellantis aims to have over 20% of Ram sales powered at least partially by electricity to meet upcoming fuel economy and emissions requirements set by the U.S. government. Earlier this year, they unveiled a fully electric Ram pickup called the REV.

Stellantis has been criticized for having the worst fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions among major automakers, according to a 2022 report by the Environmental Protection Agency.

According to Guidehouse Insights analyst Sam Abuelsamid, there is a segment of truck shoppers who desire the performance of an electric vehicle without sacrificing range or towing capacity. Stellantis' Ramcharger could be appealing to this group if the price is reasonable.

Electric vehicle demand in the U.S. has started to plateau after a period of significant growth. In August, EVs accounted for 8.3% of total vehicle sales, but in September, that figure dropped to 7.9%. The year-over-year growth rate also decreased from almost 60% in August to 56% in September. Analysts attribute this slowdown to growing EV inventory and decreasing prices as demand stabilizes.

The Ramcharger is part of a revamped lineup of Ram pickups that will be available in early 2023. These new trucks feature upgraded interiors, suspensions, and bodies, with a redesigned RAM badge positioned higher on the grille. The Ram 1500 pickup will offer an optional new twin-turbo 3-liter straight-line six-cylinder engine with up to 540 horsepower, surpassing the power of the previous Hemi V8 engine.

FutureCar Staff